Latest Stories: Ukraine in Crisis: q_sakamaki_ukraine_bw030

At a waiting room at Simferopol station in Crimea, poor people, often including the homeless, stay to warm up. Although middle class starts to emerge in Crimea and other parts of Ukraine, still many are struggling for their life, and such reality often becomes one of strong reasons to create pro-Russian tendency. Crimea is an autonomous republic of Ukraine, located in the south of the country on the Black Sea, and the majority is absolutely Russians. Russia has kept remaining the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol for over 200 years, even after Ukraine’s 1991 independence. Although the fleet remaining is due to the two country’s agreement, because of the status, Crimea has become one of the Russia-related potential flashpoints. Nov 14 2008.